Farmers of Chatmohar upazila in Pabna are seen busy cutting Boro paddy from the fields. As farming tool, scythes are being heavily demanded among farmers in paddy harvesting season. Thus, blacksmiths in the area are spending busy time making scythes and sickles.
Upazila administration of Chatmohar said that there are more than 80 blacksmith shops in the uupazila. A total of 200 families in the area earn their livelihood by being blacksmiths.
After investigation, correspondent found out that farmers are swarming in the blacksmith shops either to buy scythes, sickles or to repair and sharpen old ones. The demand of scythes usually gets higher during paddy harvesting season, locals said.
Farm warker Abdus Salam of the upazila said that it took 35 to 60 Tk for sharpening a scythe. However, this year the price increased at it takes up to Tk 80 for the job. As demands of scythes and sickles increased, it has been taking a lot more time to get custom scythes. Price of new scythes have increased too.
Johurul Islam, a blacksmith shop owner of the area said that demand of new scythes increased from the last month. This scene is not unusual due to the paddy-harvesting season.
Thus, blacksmiths in the area have become more busy than usual. With two workers, he and his team can make 30 scythes per day. These are sold from Tk 100-120 per piece. Sharpening price increased this year due to lack of availability of the tools.
“We also make knives, backhoes and other equipments,” Johirul Islam added.
Blacksmiths in the area informed that price of iron increased rapidly during last year. Coal price has also increased. Thus, work has become tougher for them. They usually make profit in paddy harvesting season as work order decreases in other season.